Wearing a dress is one of the most seamless ways to put an outfit together, no matter the season. You don’t need to think about much styling or layering—other than some great accessories—and they can make getting out the door in a flash for work, an event, or even packing for a vacation, all the easier. Having a few of these one-and-done dresses in your weekly rotation is the simplest way to guarantee style with ease. However, finding one that ticks the trifecta of boxes (your ideal silhouette, style, and budget) isn’t as straightforward.
The Best Affordable Dresses, According to Vogue
Enter our edit of small, up-and-coming labels and affordable brands offering a stylish selection of affordable dresses under $300. You won’t find widely known, fast fashion shops on this list of affordable dress brands, either. Instead, we hope you’ll discover a handful of new labels to shop for every occasion for which you might need a dress—be it minimalist, knit styles from The Line by K for everyday luxury to festive, modern silhouettes from Significant Other or even beach-ready styles from D’Ascoli that will inspire you to book that getaway in no time flat.
Below, our shopping guide on where to buy the best affordable dresses online. They all hit the $100 to $300 sweet spot, and we’ll say it’s a really good place to start.
Creative director Charlotte Eskildsen helms the Danish-based brand The Garment, focusing on clean tailoring and knitwear. The knitted maxi dresses are not to be missed—they’re as thoughtfully designed as they are made.
Remain Birger Christensen has become one of those niche brands that make clothes you actually want to wear, without the hefty price tags. Nineties minimalism mixed with a pinch of modern draping results in cool slips and shift dresses that you can layer up with their assortment of tailoring, basics, and more.
Look to Australian label Significant Other’s elevated styles for upcoming getaways and other festivities. Their relaxed shapes, often with bodycon silhouettes and cutout detailing, are flattering to the form and downright cool.
Sydney-based, slow fashion line Posse creates extremely desirable shapes with an elegant, modern feel. You’ll find everything from linen shift dresses to bodycon jerseys, all crafted with a “less is more” philosophy that highlights the female form.
For a touch of utilitarian chic you can wear all year round, think En Saison. The brand’s cotton sundresses are too good to pass up at the moment—like this belted shirtdress and adorable khaki mini. Most styles are under $200, so it’s worth a double look.
Favorite Daughter was founded by sisters Erin and Sara Foster, who dreamt of creating items they wished they had in their closets. The lineup of slinky slips, ribbed knit dresses, and even denim, are super wearable.
Australian roots and a cult following have made Merryn Kelly’s label Third Form an up-and-coming success story. Marrying progressiveness and practicality within each and every design, the brand’s minimalist silk slips are customer favorites.
Out of Barcelona, Paloma Wool offers a laid-back assortment of funky, knit pieces with Spanish influence and craftsmanship. Draped, bodycon silhouettes are their specialty, and this season’s moody masterpieces are nothing short of mesmerizing.
Model Elsa Hosk’s passion project, Helsa, is a contemporary line heavily influenced by her family and Scandinavian roots. Styles like fitted knit dresses and modern evening wear keep customers coming back for more, drop after drop.
By now, you have probably heard of the Nap dress—the smocked silhouette made famous by Hill House Home’s founder Nell Diamond—but the brand also offers a collection of dresses in various silhouettes, that will take you from brunch to a dinner party in no time flat.
Extensive market research and trial and error led stylist Chloé Bartoli to produce Éterne, a seasonless line of highly-crafted essentials. The buttery soft, tube dresses are a mainstay for the brand, coming in a variety of necklines, hem lengths, and neutral colorways.
Mother daughter duo Birgitte and Andrea Herskind focus on timeless silhouettes with the classic, Danish design touch and ecocentric sensibilities. You’ll find everything from organic cotton, T-shirt dresses to viscose maxis you’ll want to wear on the regular.
Fashion is all about playful contrasts, for Copenhagen-based creative directors, Rikke Baumgarten and Helle Hestehave. Their line of covetable dresses and ready-to-wear essentials hark on texture, print, and bold color.
Karla Deras’s line of minimalist-centric designs offers sleek yet comfortable styles that accentuate the body. Ethically made in LA, The Line by K is best known for stretch cotton and modal dresses, which take luxe basics to another level.
British label ME+EM was created by Clare Hornby, in order to redefine modern luxury for busy women. There is a simplicity and versatility to every garment, allowing all of these dresses to go from day to night, with a simple change of accessories.
Designed by a sister duo straight out of London, Amy Lynn’s vibrant, party-ready shapes make the brand a must-try. Everything is produced in a family-owned factory in the UK, ensuring an ethical production process, and with most styles averaging around $200, you may just end up snagging a few.
French for sister, Soeur was created by Domitille and Angélique Brion with the hopes of bringing timeless yet relevant wardrobe pieces to women of all generations. Travel-inspired and artisanal details can be seen through their uncomplicated shirt dress silhouettes and satin slips.
Purposeful design and responsible production are at the forefront of Sean Venturi’s vision for Venroy, whose offerings often use eco-friendly fibers and biodegradable elements. Whether a ruffled, party-ready mini or a classic polo style, these dresses are lasting wardrobe staples.
Creative director Katie Kolodinski has been perfecting the art of the ’90s slip dress since establishing Silk Laundry in 2015. The brand’s effortless dresses (made primarily from, you guessed it… silk) were designed to be worn on rotation weekly. Fun fact: Sienna Miller is a noted fan.
Quiet luxury is the essence of the Massimo Dutti brand and has been since its origins in 1985. High-quality fabrics in straightforward shapes make for dresses that you’ll turn to often and will remain in your closet for years to come.
Based in Milan, Emily Levine focuses on timeless silhouettes through a slow fashion process, celebrating artisanal production processes. The results are effortless, airy dresses you will want to wear on every holiday adventure.
Another Aussie brand, Deiji Studios (meaning “daisy” in Japanese), has quickly risen to fame thanks to comfortable, linen and cotton fabrications that blur the lines between loungewear and ready-to-wear. Hypoallergenic, breathable, and biodegradable—what is not to love?
Clean and classic, organic cotton basics are the foundations of Amsterdam-based brand, Flore Flore. Founded by Flòrian van Zuilen, find flattering tank cuts and comfortable shapes that are made to be worn over and over.
D’Ascoli blends both ancient and modern techniques when creating each dress in their design studio in India. Bohemian-inspired silhouettes are made using everything from digital print processes to hand-embroidery, resulting in truly distinct, one-of-a-kind garments.
Dashing hues and vibrant patterns are what make Essentiel Antwerp so unique. Look to the brand for whimsical dresses, inspired by founders Esfan Eghtessadi and Inge Onsea’s love for color and curiosity.
